ARES E-Letter Issues

ARES E-Letter for September 20, 2006

The ARES E-Letter
September 20, 2006
=================
Rick Palm, K1CE, Editor
<http://www.qrz.com/database?callsign=K1CE>,
<http://www.iaru-r2emcor.net/>
===================================
ARES reports, other related contributions, editorial questions or
comments: <k1ce@arrl.net&gt;;;
===================================
+ THE VIEW FROM FLAGLER COUNTY
Storm Ernesto was a fizzler here, or I should say drizzler, as we did
receive rain during the middle of the night. The rest of the Atlantic
seaboard bore the brunt of the storm. ARES was alerted in the
Carolinas and Virginia. OES Keith Deringer, WA4KD, in Richmond said
the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) requested ARES
support for the state EOC, a fantastic facility I toured back in the
late '80s with an Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)
official. SEC Henry Wyatt, K4YCR, said Chesterfield County ARES was
supporting Red Cross for heavy flooding.
North Carolina SEC Bernie Nobles, WA4MOK, said they weathered Ernesto
well, although there was street and highway flooding. The Eastern
Branch EOC in Kinston (NC4EB) was listening on the repeaters. "There
were evacuations of small communities, due to rising water," Nobles
said.
As this is written, Florence is making its trans-Atlantic trek
westward.
Speaking of hurricanes, here is an interesting graphic of hurricane
wind speed and relative damage, thanks to Flagler's own Jay Musikar,
AF2C:
<http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/_national/hurricanes/index_categories.html?SITE=AP?SECTION=HOME>
_____
ARRL First Vice President Kay Craigie, N3KN, is an intellectual and
academic, humble and unassuming with a long history of experience and
service to the League. She started in the Field Organization, working
her way up to Section Manager, Vice Director, Director and Vice
President. Craigie gained the national stage in the mid-80s with her
pioneering work on Amateur Radio's role in the National Disaster
Medical System (NDMS). Craigie represented ARRL at GAREC-2006
recently in Finland, and offered observations that bear repeating
here:
"In the US, there has been a post-Katrina emphasis to speed up
deployment of sophisticated communications systems after disasters,
so that government and non-government organizations can get to work
quickly. As the emergency telecomm world as a whole speeds up its
reaction time, we hams must be better organized, more capable and on
the scene as quickly as possible after our help is requested.
"Given ham radio's dependency on emergency communications as our
reason to exist in the US, it would be suicidal to assume that what
we have always been able to do -- at the speed we have always been
able to do it -- will be just fine to maintain our relevance into the
indefinite future."
Craigie predicted there will always be a role for Amateur Radio in
disasters. "The question is whether we will suitably prepare
ourselves to play it," she concluded.
As chairman of the National Emergency Response Planning Committee,
Craigie has provided notes on her committee's progress. See the lead
story below.
______
The RACES question raised in the last issue brought down the house.
Watch for responses and reports in the October issue.
===========================
IN THIS ISSUE:
+ THE VIEW FROM FLAGLER COUNTY
+ NERPC REPORT: TOWARDS A RAPID RESPONSE CAPABILITY
+ RED CROSS REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS
+ INTEROPERABILITY "VITAL"
+ FCC EMERGENCY FREQUENCY DECLARATIONS
+ GOOGLE EARTH APPLICATIONS
+ SOUTHERN FLORIDA ARES MEETING
+ LETTERS: IN DEFENSE OF THE ARRL RADIOGRAM MESSAGE FORMAT
+ LETTERS: MORE ON RED CROSS RELATIONS
+ ARES REGISTRATION WEB SITE GOOD MODEL
+ K1CE FOR A FINAL
===========================
+ NERPC REPORT: TOWARDS A RAPID RESPONSE CAPABILITY
The ad hoc National Emergency Response Planning Committee (NERPC)
isn't due to report to the Board until next January. However, with
the anniversaries of Katrina and 9/11, ARRL members having a serious
interest in emcomm are wondering about whether or not the ARRL is
better prepared now than we were a year ago to cope with
mega-disasters like Katrina. A major issue members are curious about
is the ARRL's rapid response capability in Katrina-type disasters
where our traditional decentralized ARES approach doesn't work
satisfactorily to meet the needs of national-level served agencies.
Thanks to funding from a Corporation for National and Community
Service grant, ARRL is making significant progress towards a national
volunteer database of experienced and trained emergency
communications volunteers who will be available for rapid deployment
in case of major disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. The principles
underlying the system were developed by the National Emergency
Response Planning Committee for the project managers at ARRL
Headquarters.
This system will allow prompt alerting and deployment of qualified
operators to disaster areas outside their home ARRL Sections. It will
enable the League to respond quickly to requests from national-level
served agencies such as the American Red Cross for large numbers of
qualified operators without the delay and confusion that has
sometimes occurred in the past.
One way to populate the database would be simply to seek volunteers
directly from the Amateur Radio community at large. However, the
NERPC -- made up of present and past ARRL Section Field Organization
leadership officials -- concluded that it is best to work with and
through the Field Organization to identify Amateur Radio emergency
communicators who are trained, equipped, prepared, and willing to
deploy outside their home Sections in case of major disasters.
At this time the system is not yet ready to "go live." Before that
happens, Section officials will be briefed on what they need to know
in order to facilitate cooperation of emergency communicators in
their Sections with this exciting new national-level response
capability.
"Please stand by." - Kay Craigie, N3KN, Chairman, NERPC
+ RED CROSS REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS
The Red Cross said their national policy requires everyone that works
in a Red Cross Shelter to have a background check on file. This
includes persons that are signed up at the last minute. The Red Cross
has a contract with an on-line company that performs background
checks. There is a fee for each background check and the Red Cross is
currently picking up the cost. The results are only sent to one local
Red Cross office. The Web site is
<http://www.mybackgroundcheck.com/arcvts> and you must select the
state map and then the local chapter.
After requests for clarification on this policy from ARRL HQ, Red
Cross supplied this statement:
----------------
BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR AMERICAN RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS AND EMPLOYEES
In the aftermath of a huge visible disaster such as Hurricane Katrina
there are several post-evaluations that occur looking at systems,
procedures, protocols and overall response to determine what systems
could be more efficient. Recently, the American Red Cross established
a policy mandating that all volunteers undergo a criminal background
check, just as their employees have done in the past. The intent of
this policy is to safeguard the clients, volunteers and employees.
The organization has contracted with a private company to perform
these background checks and has provided a means for their volunteers
to apply for the background checks without disclosing any
confidential information to a Red Cross volunteer or employee.
Prospective volunteers can go to a secure online website and only
need to submit their full name and social security number to the
contracted company. No additional information is needed.
The overall results of the background check are not shared with the
Red Cross. The only information provided is that a person has
successfully completed the background check with no adverse
information or that a person has potentially adverse information and
that additional research is required. When additional research is
required the contracted company will notify the prospective volunteer
and will address the issue with no Red Cross intervention.
Several people have indicated the desire to go to their local law
enforcement agency rather than use the private contracted company.
Because the American Red Cross is not a governmental agency, as
required by their guidance of impartiality, it is unlawful for a law
enforcement agency to share this information with the Red Cross.
This requires them to use the private, contracted firm. Also, many
have expressed concern about the use of their security number,
however this is required to be assured that the background check is
being performed on the right person. The Red Cross has gone to great
lengths to make sure the prospective volunteer is not giving out
their social security number to anyone other than the contracted
company and then only through a secure, encrypted website.
Unfortunately, in this day and age it is critical that the American
Red Cross and other agencies, employers and organizations perform due
diligence in researching the people who will represent them. We hope
volunteers, who have provided blood, sweat and tears in helping
fulfill the mission of the American Red Cross will understand the
importance of performing this due diligence.
Any questions regarding this program can be directed to
backgroundchecks@usa.redcross.org or 1(800)507-3960.
---------------------------------
This may significantly impact Amateur Radio operators in the future.
ARES membership will not allow you access to a Red Cross shelter
unless you have a background check. In Orlando, Orange County,
Florida, the ARES/RACES group is sponsored by the county and
background checks were done through the sheriff's department. Upon
completion the members were issued county ID cards. The city and
county EOCs and communication centers would not permit anyone inside
the centers that did not have the county ID card. With the additional
emphasis on security, this is going to be a bigger problem in the
future. Homeland Security is pushing for a single national ID for
government first responders. -- Jerry Reimer, KK5CA, South Texas SEC
+ INTEROPERABILITY "VITAL"
Interoperability called vital to public safety first-responder
missions: California Department of General Services Senior
Telecommunications Engineer Glen Nash, K6GSN, told a Radio Club of
America (RCA) breakfast meeting August 9, that wireless communication
among public safety first responders is a critical tool to satisfying
their mission requirements. The meeting was held during a national
convention of the Association of Public-Safety Communications
Officials-International (APCO) in Orlando, Florida. An APCO past
president, Nash chairs the Technology Committee of the National
Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC). ARRL has a
relationship with both organizations. Nash explained that the need
for interoperability comes into play in major emergencies involving
multiple -- and sometimes distant -- agencies. Nash believes
interoperability is not simply a technology problem. In addition to
technical barriers to wireless interoperability, he cited cultural,
social and language or terminology differences. "There are many areas
where we need to approach the problem, and many factors to resolve to
make it happen," he concluded. More than 100 attended the breakfast
meeting, one of a series held every year by the Radio Club of America
at conventions. Founded in 1909, the Radio Club of America is the
world's oldest radio communications society. It promotes cooperation
among those interested in the advancement and scientific study of
radio communication.
+ FCC EMERGENCY FREQUENCY DECLARATIONS
In the past FCC staff has had too many requests for emergency
frequency declarations. Also, some requests were unreasonable, such
as a request for protection on a 2 meter frequency in an area located
a thousand miles from the disaster zone. In addition, requests were
being filed before normal communications were disrupted rather than
during such a disruption, and such requests could not be granted
under 97.401(b) of Part 97 Rules.
To provide guidance to hams, a document was issued on June 8, 2004.
It is posted on the ARRL web site at:
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/emcom-declarations.html>
Since the document was released, only one person has inquired about a
declaration, and that person did not follow through with a formal
request. The FCC monitored the HF emergency nets during the Gulf
coast hurricanes and found very little interference. The FCC did make
a few phone calls to operators who didn't seem to grasp what was
going on, but there weren't any problems on HF that couldn't be
solved. Since the return of enforcement on the amateur bands, there
may be less need for declarations to keep emergency net frequencies
free of malicious interference. The FCC has said it intends to
monitor the bands during future emergencies and take prompt action
when a problem is caused by either misfeasance or malfeasance.
To the extent possible, the FCC would like us to carry out emergency
net operations without requesting frequency set-asides. The FCC has
said it will monitor actively and address problems before they get
out of hand. However, the agency said that if this approach is not
working during a disaster, then an application for an emergency
frequency declaration is appropriate. The FCC just does not want hams
to routinely apply for declarations every time there is a disaster.
This is in keeping with the self-regulatory tradition of the Amateur
Radio Service.
The language in 97.401(b) refers to making application to FCC EICs
(now titled District Directors). That is no longer the procedure --
see the June 8, 2004, document. -- ARRL
+ GOOGLE EARTH APPLICATIONS
Some hams are doing very interesting things with Google Earth,
including linking it to APRS, overlaying weather imagery, RF
coverage, etc. See <http://www.tech-software.net/globalearth.htm>
During Katrina, I was asked to relay an early 9-11 call from a
trapped New Orleans resident. He was more resourceful than most, and
realizing that street addresses were useless to helicopters, he had
used a portable GPS receiver to determine his lat/long. He included
that in his distress call.
After passing that message, I switched on Google Earth, and began
using it to correlate street addresses to lat/long for other rescue
requests. In one case, I was also able to offer "landmark" directions
to a non-local responder using the Google Earth "3-D buildings"
feature.
What other uses can we come up for this novel software that are
EMCOMM related? -- Les Rayburn, N1LF, Helena, Alabama; National
Communications System-NCS047; Navy MARS NNN0HSI; ARES-SHARES-Skywarn;
ARRL EmComm Level 3 Certified; Official Emergency Station
+ SOUTHERN FLORIDA ARES MEETS
The Southern Florida Section held an ARES meeting, conducted by SM
Sherri Brower, W4STB and SEC Jeff Beals, WA4AW, on July 22 in the
Martin County EOC. Hosting the meeting was Martin EC Steve Blary,
N1XC, with 47 attendees including all four DECs, ten ECs, ten OESs,
and 17 AECs. Eleven of the section's counties were represented. New
ARES appointees were presented with appointment certificates.
Among the topics discussed were reporting requirements for
appointees, county and section emergency plans, training resources,
recruitment, EMCOMM exam opportunities, ARESMAT teams, mutual aid
agreements, SETs and drills, involving the PIOs in the ARES program,
and training requirements for all ARES members, EC and OES
appointees. David Wagner, WA2DXQ, Gold Coast DEC gave a presentation
and offered assistance with WINLINK. A committee was formed to update
the Section Emergency Plan.
The five-hour meeting offered several opportunities for networking
with ARES staff in other counties and lunch was provided for all
attendees.
+ LETTERS: IN DEFENSE OF THE ARRL RADIOGRAM MESSAGE FORMAT
Re the use of the ARRL Standard Radiogram format: While I agree that
it is not the best format to use in every situation, it provides a
simple but effective error detection mechanism (the check), a unique
identifier for each message (the station of origination plus the
message number), and it provides an efficient and well-thought out
encoding of handling instructions. ARL numbered Radiograms can be
inscrutable to the uninitiated, but there is no requirement that they
be used. Furthermore, messages can be routed to or from voice,
RTTY/PSK, and CW circuits, depending on available outlets. There is
merit to passing messages digitally, but how long will a typical
laptop remain functional after availability of commercial mains
fails? -- Scott McMullen, W5ESE
<http://www.geocities.com/scottamcmullen>, Dripping Springs, Texas
It is interesting to note that the agencies promoting "plain
language" seem to create new jargon almost daily. The TEXT of a
radiogram, properly originated in the standard message format, should
be in plain language. However, if abbreviations are included, it
shouldn't concern a radio operator. Only two parties actually need to
know and understand the message text: the originator and the
addressee. The emcomm operator's only responsibility is to get the
message relayed and delivered EXACTLY as it was originated. (This
topic was discussed in depth in the August 2006 issue of EMCOMM
MONTHLY.)
While the WRRL does not recommend the use of ARL NUMBERED RADIOGRAMS
when originating message traffic, we DO suggest that all emcomm
operators be aware of that system and keep a copy of ARRL FSD-3 handy
for when they need to decipher a message that includes an ARL. -- D.
W. Thorne, K6SOJ, Sacramento Valley (CA) SEC, Editor - Publisher
EMCOMM MONTHLY
+ LETTERS: MORE ON RED CROSS RELATIONS
Most ARES members I have talked with describe situations as Ralph
Brigham, KG4CSQ, did in the August issue. In one case, the hams that
showed up to help were not even allowed in the shelter. The Red Cross
didn't know who they were. The only identification they had was a
driver's license, Amateur Radio license and maybe an ARES badge.
That is the new normal in which we live. Since 9/11, the Red Cross
section of Life Safety and Asset Protection (LSAP) was created in
Disaster Services, partly due to law enforcement's requirement of a
standardized identification system in order to allow Red Cross
volunteers within the security boundaries raised around Ground Zero.
Now, the Red Cross' LSAP group is responsible for executing
background checks on all volunteers the Red Cross identifies as
theirs. This protects Red Cross volunteers and assets and it protects
Red Cross clients.
This is all an expansion of the bottom line of the letter that
started this conversation: If the Red Cross, or any organization or
agency, does not have regular, collaborative contact with ARES, the
organization or agency does not understand ARES capabilities or how
ARES can enhance and enable the organization or agency to do its
mission.
In closing, my experience with the Red Cross has been so different
from what is reported by other parts of the country. I believe it is
because hams here are entrenched as active volunteers with the local
Red Cross Chapter -- nine in just the Disaster Services leadership
positions. I know of at least a handful of our local Red Cross
volunteers working on earning their Amateur Radio license because of
what they saw Amateur Radio doing for the Red Cross in Florida in
2004 and when they were working with Katrina relief response.
For anyone wanting to engage this as an interactive conversation, I
am starting a thread in the ARES section of <http://www.Hamforum.com/>
-- Michael Potaczala, KC4NUS, AEC Public Service, Orange County ARES
Florida; Red Cross Disaster Services - Networking/Computers Team
Leader <http://centralflorida.redcross.org/>
In the August 16 ARES Newsletter, Ralph Brigham, KG4CSQ, of
Clarksville, Tennessee, wrote, "...it is my experience that most Red
Cross chapters do not acknowledge the availability of ARES
communications. 'Communications' to most chapter staff means media
relations, and not the ability to send messages between the chapter
and shelter sites."
I've been active in ARES and RACES for a long time. I have recently
become a volunteer with my local chapter of the American Red Cross. I
also have contacts in a number of other Red Cross chapters. From this
perspective of being involved with both activities, I'd like to shed
some light on Ralph's comments.
It is true that the term "communications" in "Red Cross speak" refers
to dissemination of public information. The "Red Cross speak" for
what ARES does is "response technology." Radio communications is one
of a group of technical activities that support a disaster response.
Others include satellite and computer networks, telephones and faxes.
Another fact is that the primary work of the Red Cross -- client
service, mass care, health services -- involve people who are not
fascinated by technology, at least not radio. In fact, they seem
reluctant even to use the Red Cross' own radios. Where I would take
exception to Ralph's comments is where he generalizes and attributes
his experience to all Red Cross operations everywhere. There is a
wide spectrum of technical strengths and weakness across the Red
Cross organization. Some chapters have strong relations with local
ARES groups, as is the case in Massachusetts. Perhaps in Clarksville,
not so much. The Central Massachusetts Chapter, for example, has 12
licensed amateurs among its approximately 120 volunteers. Many of
those hams do not work in Response Technology (RT) when they are
deployed. But, within the RT group, we have five hams who focus on
those technical issues when required. One is designated as the ARES
liaison to Red Cross. Another is liaison to MARS, and the National
Communications System. Any can serve as liaison to the state EOC via
RACES. When there are no RT tasks to be performed, we pitch in
wherever needed. Many chapters may not have that level of RT support.
Some may not even realize they need it.
ARES volunteers who really want to support Red Cross communications
may be able to do more if they first enroll in the Red Cross and then
focus their efforts in the RT function, effecting change from within.
-- Thomas Carrigan, NE1R; AFA1IR, ARES, MARS, SHARES
+ ARES REGISTRATION WEB SITE GOOD MODEL
I believe we have one of the most advanced ARES registration sites in
the country. Our server sits behind an SSL firewall, and both
collects and delivers an incredible amount of data on demand. Since
rolling out the site in June, we have registered more than 220
members into the system. Our Web site collects personal contact
information as well as equipment capabilities and completed training.
Additionally, members can record hours spent on events, drills,
emergency operations and ARRL administrative time. Another item we
consider critical is to know what groups (clubs, RACES, SATERN, etc)
a member belongs to and which group he or she pledges to support.
Virtually all data is searchable by ARES management (data returned is
determined by their ARES role), and they can even save favorite
searches for later use (up to ten searches). To tour the site at
<http://www.az-arrl.org/secure>, use the following: Login: Z1ABC
Password: DEMODEMO
Although you won't see the search capability, you will see what data
we can collect, and view the hours reporting and the "groups" tools.
I will be presenting our site (we have also given the code to the
Orange Section) at the Southwest Division Conference this month in
San Diego. By that time, we will be beta testing additional tools,
one of which is a multi-user comm plan builder to support multi-day
deployments as well as multiple planners concurrently. -- Rick Aldom,
W7STS, Arizona Section Emergency Coordinator
+ K1CE FOR A FINAL
Kay Craigie, N3KN, also stressed that Amateur Radio needs to avoid
"being dazzled by our own press clippings into thinking that we are
the big dog in emergency telecommunications."
At first this seems like a heretical statement, but she is absolutely
right. I have seen time and time again where amateurs overemphasize
their importance in the EOC to our detriment. We are important, but
we are not the EOC's primary communications system, not by a long
shot. I have been to meetings where amateurs demand certain things be
done for them by the emergency management officials. For example, I
saw where a new SEC's first action was to demand a set of official
flashing emergency lights for the top of his pickup truck. This harms
us.
If we do not have a realistic appraisal of our role, then we risk
getting left out of the EOC, looking in.
See you next month for the special RACES issue!